ETAN writes on health care for Papuan political prisoner Filep
Karma
East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202 USA
+1-718-596-7668; cell: +1-917-690-4391
etan@etan.org
www.etan.org
22 April 2012
Drs. Untung Sugiyono
Director General of Prisons
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Jl. Veteran No. 11, Jakarta Pusat
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 3483 2101
Dear Dr. Sugiyono
We are writing to express our concern about the health of Filep
Karma who is currently incarcerated at the Abepura prison. By
imprisoning him, the Indonesian government is responsible for his
health.
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We urge you to make sure that Filep Karma receives the required
medical treatment and that the full cost of any needed treatment be
covered by the authorities in accordance with the Indonesian
regulations.
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We urge the Indonesian government to ensure that Mr. Karma receives
the medical care that he needs. As your prisoner, the state has a
responsibility to cover the costs of his medical treatment and
travel (Regulation No. 32/1999 on Terms and Procedures on the
Implementation of Prisoners' Rights in Prisons and
UN Body of
Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of
Detention or Imprisonment (Principle 24East
Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)*)).
We understand that doctors at the Dok Dua hospital in Jayapura found
a suspected tumor of the colon during a recent medical examination.
They have said that he requires a colonoscopy and follow-up
treatment. They referred him to the Cikini hospital in Jakarta,
because the required equipment is not available in Papua. The
Abepura prison authorities have given permission for Karma to travel
to Jakarta, but they refuse to cover the costs of travel and the
needed medical treatment and travel.
We urge you to make sure that Filep Karma receives the required
medical treatment and that the full cost of any needed treatment be
covered by the authorities in accordance with the Indonesian
regulations.
Conditions in Indonesia's prisons and the treatment of prisoners, at
a minimum, must meet standards in Indonesian law and the
UN Standard
Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners.
Finally, this should not be an issue. Filep Karma should not be in
prison. He is a political prisoner, imprisoned for exercising his
fundamental right to free expression. He and other prisoners of
conscience should be unconditionally released.
Yours sincerely
John M. Miller
National Coordinator
East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
cc: Ambassador Dino Djalal, Indonesian Embassy, Washington, DC
Fax: 202-775-5365
Liberty Sitinjak, Head of Abepura Prison
+62 984 24721
Daniel Biantong, Head of Papuan Provincial Department of Justice and
Human Rights
Fax: +62 967 586112
* Principle 24: A proper medical
examination shall be offered to a detained or imprisoned person as
promptly as possible after his admission to the place of detention
or imprisonment, and thereafter medical care and treatment shall be
provided whenever necessary. This care and treatment shall be
provided free of charge.
see also:
